Proud pals of the singer from St Aidan’s High say they will be backing their friend all the way.

Best mates of X Factor finalist Nicholas McDonald told the Wishaw Press how their famous friend is coping with fame.

St Aidan’s High pupils Nathan Gilchrist and Darren McAleavy said they were surprised to see Nicholas’s sensitive side on television as he is usually the joker of the group.

Nathan, 17, who was watching the hit show with Nicholas and his family on Saturday night, said: “I can understand why Nicky is so emotional. He desperately wants to give something back to his mum and dad for all their support but it has been strange to watch. He comes across really shy and quiet on TV, but I think it’s just because he was so nervous. When he is with us he is always cracking jokes, playing pranks on people and up for a laugh. I’m sure he has already started to come out his shell with the other contestants in the house.”

Darren, also 17, enthused: “We can’t believe how laidback Nicky is. He has gone from having 40 followers on Twitter to having 39,000. He has had tweets from Rio Ferdinand and Amy Childs. It’s unreal.”

Tom Dymond/ITV/PA Wire

Louis Walsh tells Nicholas he's in his top three

Nathan who has been friends with Nicholas since they were at St Ignatius Primary remembered first hearing him sing at a school assembly. He continued: “When we were in P5 Nicky sang Celine Dion’s, My Heart Will Go On. He was amazing. I was so shocked because I didn’t know he could sing so well.”

Darren and Nathan said their Saturday nights will now be spend cheering on their best mate. The proud pair added: “Everyone is behind Nicky and rooting for him to go far. Whatever happens he has done us all proud.

“If we get the chance we would love to go down and watch him perform in the live shows. It would be amazing.”

Mr Rooney, head teacher at St Aidan’s High, said the school are immensely proud of Nicholas. He added: “We are all behind him and wish him the best of luck with the rest of the show. He is a bright boy and we know he will go far in whatever he does.”